Centaurs

Overview

View Statblock (Centaur Warrior)

Centaur Warrior CR: 2

Large fey, any

Armor Class: 17 (halfplate)

Hit Points: 45 (6d10 + 12) 6d10+12

Speed: 40 ft

STR

14 +2

DEX

18 +4

CON

14 +2

INT

11 +0

WIS

13 +1

CHA

9 -1

Skills: Athletics +6, Perception +3, Survival +3

Senses: Passive Perception 13

Languages: Ogygian, Wild Ogygian

Challenge Rating: 2

Charge. If the centaur moves at least 30 feet straight toward a target and then hits it with a twinblade attack on the same turn, the centaur can immediately make another twinblade attack as a bonus action. This can only apply once per turn.

Actions

Multiattack. The centaur makes two attacks with its twinblade and one with its hooves, or two with its longbow.
Twinblade. Melee Weapon Attack: +6 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 9 (1d10 + 4) 1d10+4 slashing damage.
Hooves. Melee Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 9 (2d6 + 2) 2d6+2 bludgeoning damage.
Longbow. Ranged Weapon Attack: +6 to hit, range 150/600 ft., one target. Hit: 8 (1d8 + 4) 1d8+4 piercing damage.

The main cavalry of a centaur war band, equipped with heavy plate armor and the centaurs' signature twinblade.

While not true nymphs, centaurs descended from them and many still choose to act as protectors of the wilderness. Their humanoid torsos carry on the features of their horse halves, with their skin matching the hue and mottling of their coats and their hair often styled like a horse’s mane. Some have branching, delicate antlers, and others grow moss, flowers, or leaves from their bodies as remnants of their nymph heritage.

Centaur culture espouses not just protection, but the arts of war and metallurgy: unlike most nymphs, centaur warriors will readily wear bronze or steel armor and train one another in precise weapon techniques. In the ongoing tensions between nymphs and humanoids, centaurs are often viewed with more caution than other nymphs in peaceful interactions with humanoids for the fear that they may “steal” humanoid war techniques. It is this mistrust which makes it sting all the more for centaur communities when one of their own defects to the side of humanoids and makes war against their own kind. Such centaurs are banned from ever returning to their homes, and even those who walk away and choose a path of pacifism are often looked down upon by their warrior fellows.

by Kekai Kotaki

Basic Information

Anatomy

Centaurs have the bodies of horses, deer, or elks, but where their necks would be, a humanoid torso emerges instead. Their humanoid torsos often carry on the features of their animal halves, with their skin matching the hue and mottling of their coats and deer or horse ears instead of human.
Some centaurs, of either sex, grow branching antlers from their foreheads. It is unknown what exactly causes this trait, as it can appear in centaurs where both parents lack antlers. These centaurs are particularly attuned to magical arts, however, and their antlers may gradually gain a crystalline transparency as they grow.
Some centaurs naturally grow moss, vines, branches, or leaves from their bodies, most often in their coats or hair. Unlike satyrs, the plants that grow from centaur bodies never produce fruit, but may still produce flowers like poppies or roses.

Genetics and Reproduction

Despite their equine or cervine appearance, any male and female centaurs can mate. Gestation and birth are similar to humans, birthing one or rarely two foals after a ten-month gestation period.

Growth Rate & Stages

Centaur foals take about two weeks to be able to walk on their own, at which point they grow at a similar rate to humans.

Ecology and Habitats

Ogygian groves, glades, and plains.

Dietary Needs and Habits

Omnivorous, similarly to humans. Centaurs hunt and farm as needed to maintain their herds.

Additional Information

Social Structure

Small herds, often congregated in areas where nymphs live. If the herd forms around a nymph or group of nymphs, the nymph is treated as the leader of the herd. If not, then the eldest centaur is considered the herd's leader, who has unilateral decision on where the herd makes their home, travels, and who is allowed into the area.

Perception and Sensory Capabilities

Centaurs have particularly keen hearing, able to pinpoint small noises nearby. While this is an excellent trait for escaping predators, many centaurs use this to gain an advantage while hunting instead.

Civilization and Culture

Naming Traditions

Centaurs tend toward strong names in Wild Ogygian, though names are not gendered. Centaurs in the wilderness tend not to take surnames, but those who settle in humanoid settlements may take Ogygian surnames to settle into the culture.
Some centaur names include Ariadnh, Karpathia, Argurios, Xaridhmos, and Kotullon.

Major Language Groups and Dialects

Wild Ogygian and Ogygian

Common Taboos

It is seen as a great betrayal of their kin for a centaur to take the side of non-nymph humanoids, or otherwise come into conflict with the nymphs and nature. Such centaurs are banished from their original herds and treated with violent hostility if seen again, though it may take time for this news to spread to other centaur herds.
Many centaur herds consider even pacifism to be something looked down upon, especially in defense of their homes. While no centaurs are expected to be the aggressors in Ogygian wars, all are expected to defend nature when war threatens.

Contents

Details

Origin/Ancestry

Nymph descendent

Lifespan

90 years

Average Height

7-8 feet

Average Length

8-10 feet

Body Tint, Colouring and Marking

Hues of brown, black, and white. Some centaurs display mottling like deer.

Geographic Distribution

• Ogygia
• The Burning Wood

Related Organizations

• The Nymphs

by Stephan McGowan

by Kekai Kotaki